PRINTER'S NO. 640
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
567
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, SCHWANK, BARTOLOTTA, RESCHENTHALER,
BREWSTER, GORDNER, RAFFERTY AND LAUGHLIN, APRIL 5, 2017
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, APRIL 5, 2017
AN ACT
Regulating controlled plants and noxious weeds; establishing the
Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee; providing for
powers and duties of the Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed
Committee; imposing powers and duties on the Secretary of
Agriculture and municipalities; prescribing penalties;
establishing a category of controlled plants and providing
for the permitting of controlled plants intended to be grown
for biomass and biofuel production or for other beneficial
purposes; and repealing the Noxious Weed Control Law.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions
Section 101. Short title.
Section 102. Definitions.
Chapter 3. Regulation and Administration
Section 301. Designation of noxious weeds and controlled
plants.
Section 302. Permits.
Section 303. Prohibited acts.
Section 304. Noxious weed control areas.
Section 305. Control orders.
Section 306. Compliance with orders.
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Section 307. Noxious weed list.
Section 308. Fees.
Section 309. Powers and duties of secretary and department.
Section 310. Stop-sale orders.
Section 311. Seizure and condemnation.
Section 312. Appeal process.
Section 313. Cooperation with other entities.
Section 314. Rules and regulations.
Chapter 5. Enforcement
Section 501. Unlawful conduct.
Section 502. Interference with inspector, agent or employee of
department.
Section 503. Enforcement and penalties.
Section 504. Injunctive relief.
Section 505. De minimis violations.
Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 701. Transfer.
Section 702. Disposition of funds.
Section 703. Preemption.
Section 704. Abrogation.
Section 705. Repeals.
Section 706. Effective date.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 101. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Controlled
Plant and Noxious Weed Act.
Section 102. Definitions.
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The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Class A noxious weed." A weed listed in section 307(a) or a
weed that has been determined by the committee to be a Class A
noxious weed and that:
(1) Is established in this Commonwealth.
(2) Is geographically limited.
(3) Is intended to be eradicated.
"Class B noxious weed." A weed listed in section 307(b) or a
weed that has been determined by the committee to be a Class B
noxious weed and that:
(1) Is widely established in this Commonwealth.
(2) Cannot feasibly be eradicated.
"Class C noxious weed." A weed listed in section 307(c) or a
weed that has been determined by the committee to be a Class C
noxious weed and that:
(1) Is not known to exist in this Commonwealth.
(2) Poses a potential threat if introduced in this
Commonwealth.
"Committee." The Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee
established in section 301.
"Control." The management of the population of a noxious
weed or controlled plant to an acceptable level, including
eradication, as determined by the department.
"Control order." A written order issued by the department to
a person detailing required treatment measures to control
noxious weeds or controlled plants.
"Controlled plant." A plant that has been determined by the
committee to be a "controlled plant" and is regulated to prevent
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uncontained growth and to negate undesirable characteristics.
"Department." The Department of Agriculture of the
Commonwealth.
"Designee." A person who is duly authorized or appointed by
the secretary to act as the representative of the department.
"Distribute or distribution." To barter, consign, exchange,
give away, import, in any way transfer, offer for sale, sell or
otherwise supply or transport a noxious weed or controlled plant
in this Commonwealth.
"Eradication." The elimination or removal of a noxious weed
or controlled plant so that no further growth occurs for at
least three consecutive years.
"Established." Either:
(1) a plant or plant population found growing in this
Commonwealth as a wild population and capable of
reproduction; or
(2) a plant that has escaped from cultivation and is
reproducing.
"Federal noxious weed." A weed listed in 7 CFR 360.200
(relating to designation of noxious weeds).
"General permit." A regional or Statewide permit that is
issued by the department for a controlled plant and specifies
terms and conditions for distribution, cultivation or
propagation of the controlled plant.
"Geographically limited." Found in discrete, limited
locations of this Commonwealth.
"Individual permit." A permit that is issued by the
department and includes site-specific terms and conditions for:
(1) research, marketing, warehousing, holding,
retailing, wholesaling, transporting, distributing,
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cultivating or propagating of a controlled plant; or
(2) research and educational purposes related to a
noxious weed.
"Infested." The presence of a noxious weed in any stage of
development in a specific geographic area.
"Landlord." A person who is the owner of an estate in land
or a rental property and has leased it to another person.
"Landowner." A person:
(1) In whom is vested the ownership, dominion or title
of property and in whom one or more interests are vested for
the person's own benefit.
(2) Who owns the fee and who has the right to dispose of
the property and includes one having a possessory right to
land or the person occupying or cultivating it.
The term includes a department, board, commission, agency and
instrumentality of the Federal Government and the Commonwealth
and any of its political subdivisions.
"Land tenant." A person actually in possession of land.
"Land trust." A trust in which the corpus consists of real
estate and of the trustee of which appears to have full powers
with the real estate and complete legal and equitable title to
the trust property.
"Lessee." A person who has entered into a contract granting
the person occupation or use of property during a certain period
in exchange for a specified rent.
"Lessor." A person who grants a lease or rents property to
another for a definite or indefinite period of time, by a
written or oral lease, irrespective of whether a statute of
fraud requires the lease to be in writing.
"Noxious weed." Either:
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(1) a plant part or plant in any stage of development
that is determined to be injurious to crops, livestock,
agricultural land or other property, including forest land
and bodies of water; or
(2) any weed listed in 7 CFR 360.200 (relating to
designation of noxious weeds).
"Noxious weed control area." A geographic area of this
Commonwealth, including the entire State, municipality or any
part or tract of land or body of water where a noxious weed is
to be controlled as prescribed under this act.
"Noxious weed permit." An individual permit issued by the
department that specifies terms and conditions for distribution,
cultivation or propagation of a noxious weed for research and
educational purposes.
"Person." An individual, corporation, association,
partnership, municipality or any other entity.
"Plant Pest Management Account" or "account." The Plant Pest
Management Account established under section 27 of the act of
December 16, 1992 (P.L.1228, No.162), known as the Plant Pest
Act.
"Propagate." To increase, multiply or spread a plant or crop
through planting, cultivation or any means of reproduction.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Agriculture of the
Commonwealth.
"Stop-sale order." A written notice, issued by the
department to the person in possession of a noxious weed or
controlled plant, which prohibits its distribution.
"Treatment measure." A method of eradicating, managing,
regulating or controlling noxious weeds or controlled plants
utilizing biological, chemical or mechanical means or a
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combination thereof.
"Widely established." Growing throughout multiple counties
and municipalities of this Commonwealth.
CHAPTER 3
REGULATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Section 301. Designation of noxious weeds and controlled
plants.
(a) Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee.--
(1) The Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee is
established and shall have the powers of a departmental
administrative board in the department.
(2) The committee shall be composed of:
(i) the secretary, who shall be the chairperson of
the committee;
(ii) the Secretary of Conservation and Natural
Resources;
(iii) the Secretary of Environmental Protection;
(iv) the Secretary of Transportation;
(v) the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission and the Executive Director of the
Pennsylvania Game Commission;
(vi) the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the Senate and
the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the House of
Representatives;
(vii) three persons, to be appointed by the
secretary, who must represent the interests and concerns
of the following groups, organizations or industries:
(A) One member of a Statewide general farm
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organization.
(B) One member representing the ornamental, turf
and horticultural industry.
(C) One member from an institution of higher
education within this Commonwealth.
(3) Except for appointed members, who may be represented
by designees selected by the secretary, members may be
represented by a designee selected by the member.
(4) The appointed members shall serve four-year terms
except that such terms shall initially be staggered with one
of the three members serving a two-year term.
(5) Successors to fill expired terms of appointed
members shall be appointed by the secretary. The secretary
may appoint the same member to successive terms.
(6) An appointed member may continue to hold the
position after the member's term has expired and until a
successor has been appointed, but in no case may that time
period be longer than six months beyond the member's original
term of office.
(b) Powers and duties of committee.--
(1) A majority of the committee shall constitute a
quorum. A quorum of the committee shall be required to take
an action. All actions of the committee shall be by a
majority vote.
(2) Prior to taking an action, the committee shall be
required to convene a public meeting to elicit comments from
the regulated community and other interested parties. The
notice and agenda for a meeting of the committee shall
contain a list of the plants to be considered for addition to
or deletion from the noxious weed list or controlled plant
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list. The notice and agenda for a meeting shall be published
in the Pennsylvania Bulletin at least one week prior to the
meeting, except in the case of a special meeting or
rescheduled meeting as allowed under 65 Pa.C.S. ยง 709(a)
(relating to public notice). All meetings shall be open to
the public and shall comply with the requirements of 65
Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).
(3) The committee shall have the following powers and
duties:
(i) To establish a noxious weed list inclusive of
the list provided under section 307. The committee may
add weeds to or delete weeds from the noxious weed list,
or move noxious weeds to the controlled plant list, in
accordance with the provisions of this act.
(ii) To establish a controlled plant list and to add
plants to or delete plants from the controlled plant list
in accordance with the provisions of this act. A
controlled plant, upon approval of the committee, may be
moved from the controlled plant list to the noxious weed
list.
(iii) To propose the addition or deletion of plants
to or from the noxious weed list or controlled plant
list. The committee may request that the department
perform a study and risk assessment related to a plant
the committee may consider for addition to or deletion
from the noxious weed list or controlled plant list.
(iv) To publish the noxious weed list and the
controlled plant list and any additions or deletions or
changes to the noxious weed list and controlled plant
list as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Additions
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to or deletions from the noxious weed list or the
controlled plant list shall become effective 60 days from
publication.
(c) Prohibitions.--
(1) The growth, propagation or existence of a Class A
noxious weed, Class B noxious weed or Class C noxious weed on
any land or water or in any vessel or carrier within this
Commonwealth, except for permitted research or educational
purposes, is strictly prohibited.
(2) A person, including a landowner, municipality,
landlord, land tenant, land trust, lessor or lessee of
property where these weeds are introduced or exist, may be
subject to a control order.
(3) An individual permit shall be required for research
and educational purposes.
(d) Noxious weed and controlled plant seeds.--
(1) Upon the determination of the committee that a plant
falls within the classification of a noxious weed or
controlled plant, the seed of that plant shall fall within
that same classification under 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 71 (relating to
seed) and relevant regulations.
(2) If no regulatory criteria exist for controlled plant
seeds, the department may regulate controlled plant seeds
through permit, for a period of two years from the effective
date of this section, at which time the department shall
promulgate regulatory standards.
Section 302. Permits.
(a) General rule.--The following permitting rules apply with
regard to noxious weeds for research or educational purposes and
to controlled plants for research or marketing purposes,
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cultivation, propagation, growing, storing, warehousing or
display, and for retail, wholesale or production or
distribution.
(1) For noxious weeds, the department may issue
individual permits. The permits may allow for the cultivation
and propagation of a noxious weed for research and
educational purposes only. The department shall establish the
criteria for a noxious weed individual permit through the
issuance of a temporary order, as set forth in paragraph (4).
(2) For controlled plants, the department may issue
individual permits or general permits. The permits shall be
required for research, marketing, retail, wholesale or
production, growth, cultivation or propagation of a
controlled plant and the storage, warehousing, display or
distribution of any controlled plant.
(3) General permits may be issued for the research,
marketing, retail, wholesale, production, growth, storage,
warehousing, display, distribution, cultivation or
propagation of controlled plants under the following
circumstances:
(i) General permits may be issued on a regional or
Statewide basis for controlled plants where the
controlled plants have similar characteristics and are
capable of being cultivated, propagated, processed and
controlled or eradicated in a similar fashion. Where
possible, the department shall issue general permits for
controlled plants for research purposes and those being
marketed, cultivated, propagated or distributed for the
purpose of biofuel production.
(ii) General permits shall be published in the
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Pennsylvania Bulletin effective upon publication.
(4) Individual permits may be issued for research or the
marketing, distribution, cultivation or propagation of
controlled plants under the following circumstances:
(i) Individual permits may be issued for a
controlled plant where:
(A) The controlled plant has individual
characteristics that make it difficult or impossible
for the department to govern or contain its
cultivation, propagation, control or eradication
through a general set of requirements.
(B) The land or area on which the controlled
plant will be cultivated has characteristics that
would make it difficult or impossible for the
department to govern, contain, control or eradicate
the controlled plant.
(C) The controlled plant is highly regulated or
requires additional scrutiny because of a
characteristic of the plant that would be hard to
control under a general permit or where Federal law
preempts and requires such permitting.
(ii) Individual permits shall be issued in writing
to the specific permit holder, contain the temporary
order or reference the regulations establishing the
requirements of the individual permit and be published in
the Pennsylvania Bulletin and effective as enumerated in
paragraph (6).
(5) The department may establish through regulation or a
temporary order, as provided in paragraph (6), standards and
requirements addressing the issuance and criteria of an
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individual permit for noxious weeds and controlled plants.
(6) For each noxious weed, the department shall issue a
temporary order establishing the criteria for the individual
permit to be issued. For a controlled plant, upon determining
that a set of characteristics or circumstances requires the
issuance of an individual permit, the department shall issue
a temporary order establishing the criteria for the
individual permit to be issued. The following shall apply:
(i) Through the temporary order, the department may
establish restrictions, standards, including bonding
requirements, and penalties as the department determines
are necessary to:
(A) Identify the specific characteristics of the
noxious weed or controlled plant or the
circumstances, including Federal laws, regulations or
orders, that require the issuance of the individual
permit.
(B) Assure the permit holder institutes proper
containment, remediation and eradication criteria to
protect the interests of the public, the native plant
and animal populations in this Commonwealth and this
Commonwealth's flora, fauna and natural resources.
(C) Assure the permit holder is responsible for
and has the means to cover costs of remediation,
containment or eradication.
(D) Assure that the permit holder does not
abandon the permitted site prior to notifying the
department and taking remediation, containment or
eradication measures as the department may determine
are necessary.
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(ii) The department shall publish the temporary
order as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. A copy of
the order shall also be delivered to the person seeking
to research, market, plant or cultivate the noxious weed
or to research, market, plant, cultivate, warehouse,
store, display, grow, produce, hold, distribute, retail,
wholesale or propagate the controlled plant under the
individual permit.
(iii) The provisions of the temporary order shall be
applicable as of the date of actual or constructive
notice of the temporary order or any later date specified
in the temporary order. Publication of the temporary
order in the Pennsylvania Bulletin shall be constructive
notice.
(iv) The temporary order shall remain in effect for
a period not to exceed the length of time for which the
individual permit was issued, unless the permit is
reissued or extended, or until the criteria stated in the
temporary order are established in regulation, whichever
occurs first.
(b) Permit required.--
(1) No person may conduct research, market, distribute,
transport, cultivate, hold, retail, wholesale, propagate or
reproduce a noxious weed or controlled plant without first
obtaining a permit from the department in accordance with the
provisions of this act.
(2) Noxious weeds may not be distributed, transported,
cultivated, propagated or reproduced by any manner, except
for research and educational purposes. A person proposing to
distribute, transport, cultivate, propagate or reproduce
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noxious weeds for research or educational purposes shall
apply for and receive an individual permit, for each location
at which the research or educational classes will be
conducted, from the department prior to undertaking the
activities.
(3) Controlled plants may not be utilized in research,
marketed, retailed, wholesaled, distributed, transported,
produced, cultivated, propagated or reproduced by any manner
without a permit issued by the department. The following
provisions shall apply:
(i) A person who seeks to conduct research on,
market, retail, wholesale, distribute, transport,
produce, cultivate, propagate or reproduce a controlled
plant for which an individual permit is required shall
apply for and receive an individual permit from the
department, for each location at which research will be
conducted or a controlled plant will be marketed,
retailed, wholesaled, distributed, transported from,
produced, cultivated, propagated or reproduced, prior to
undertaking the activity.
(ii) Where the department has established a general
permit requirement for a controlled plant, a person
seeking to conduct research on, market, retail,
wholesale, produce, distribute, transport, cultivate,
propagate or reproduce the controlled plant shall, prior
to undertaking the activity, inform the department of the
intent and complete an application for approval to
operate under the general permit requirements. The
application shall include a plan establishing the
practices and methods the applicant will utilize in order
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to assure compliance with the general permit requirements
established by the department. In addition to the written
plan, the application shall state, at a minimum, all of
the information required in subsection (c)(1), (2), (3),
(4), (5), (6), (7) and (8).
(4) Prior to the approval and issuance of an individual
permit or authorization to begin research, marketing,
distribution, transportation, retailing, wholesaling,
production, cultivation, propagation or reproduction of a
controlled plant under a general permit, the department may
enter onto and inspect the land and premises and all areas of
the land and premises, including buildings and conveyances,
that will be utilized for or where the permitted activity
will be conducted. The inspection shall be limited to normal
business hours and to the areas where the permitted
activities will be or are occurring.
(c) Individual permit application.--A written application
for an individual permit shall meet the criteria established by
the department through a temporary order or regulation as
authorized by this act, be made on a form and a manner
prescribed by the department and shall contain at least the
following:
(1) Legal name, address and daytime and evening
telephone numbers of the applicant.
(2) Physical location, including a detailed plot map and
description of the site to be planted or site at which the
noxious weed or controlled plant will be propagated,
cultivated, stored or distributed. The description of the
location shall also include the county, municipality and the
name of the road or roads bordering the physical location.
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The plot map shall be attached to the application and shall
state the GPS coordinates outlining the boundaries of the
site and other important landmarks.
(3) For a seller, distributor, holder or depository of
propagation material, the name and address and the applicable
Federal or Commonwealth license or certification number or
both, where applicable.
(4) The United States Department of Agriculture Plants
Database scientific and common names of the noxious weed or
controlled plant that the applicant desires to propagate,
possess, import, introduce, purchase or transport, including
classification of species by sterile biotype, cultivar,
variety F1 parent, variety F2 parent or other name.
(5) Identity of the intended plant parts to be used and
the stage of development at planting, including seed, rhizome
and cutting.
(6) Attestation that the plant materials have been
selected from apparently disease-free and pest-free sources.
(7) A description of the packaging and biosecurity
safeguards to be utilized. Plant material shall be packaged
and safeguarded sufficiently to maintain isolation from the
domestic environment during transportation.
(8) An attestation by the permit holder stating the
permit holder shall continue to comply with the permit
requirements for the duration of time the plant materials are
in the permit holder's possession and that the permit holder
understands and agrees to the following:
(i) If the permit holder intends to transfer
possession or ownership of the noxious weed or controlled
plant, the permit holder shall, prior to the transfer of
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possession or ownership, notify the department and assure
the person to whom the noxious weed or controlled plant
will be transferred or sold that the permit holder has
obtained the required individual permit.
(ii) If the permit holder intends to stop growing or
cultivating the noxious weed or controlled plant, the
permit holder shall notify the department and implement
all measures ordered by the department to destroy the
noxious weed or controlled plant, unless another person
assumes responsibility for the noxious weed or
controlled plant and submits a new permit.
(iii) If the permit holder abandons, relinquishes
possession or ownership of, control over or
responsibility for the noxious weed or controlled plant,
in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this act,
all plant material regulated by the permit shall be
destroyed in a manner approved by the department. The
original permit holder shall continue to be responsible
for the noxious weed or controlled plant, the cost of
destruction and eradication of the noxious weed or
controlled plant and any plant material associated with
the noxious weed or controlled plant. The original permit
holder shall continue to be subject to all penalty
provisions established under this act.
(9) Identify the use of the noxious weed or controlled
plant to be permitted, including ornamental landscape,
agricultural crop, feed crop, research, education, biofuel,
biomass, further sale or distribution or any other particular
use.
(10) Detailed description of the activity, including the
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intended size of area to be planted and the intended date of
planting.
(11) Whether the noxious weed or controlled plant will
be further distributed, sold, transported, replanted, used
for seed or other purposes. If so, the permit shall include
the name and address of the persons and locations to which
the noxious weed or controlled plant will be distributed,
sold or transported. If sold or distributed for further
propagation, the permit shall include the information
required by paragraphs (1) and (2) and the name and address
of the person to which the noxious weed or controlled plant
was sold or distributed for further propagation.
(12) A written contingency plan for each site for
eradication or recapture in the event of an unauthorized
escape or introduction of the controlled plant.
(13) An attestation that the applicant shall comply with
all terms and conditions contained in the permit.
(d) Additional information.--The secretary may request
additional information from the applicant in writing after the
application is received, if necessary, to evaluate the potential
risk to this Commonwealth.
(e) Expiration date and renewal.--
(1) An individual noxious weed and controlled plant
permit shall expire on December 31 of each year, unless
otherwise specified in the permit. An application for renewal
of a permit must be made by October 1 of the year the permit
expires. An application for renewal shall describe any change
to the required information previously submitted. Failure to
renew an individual permit shall be a violation of this act.
(2) Information regarding general permit compliance
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shall be updated on a calendar year basis. Updated
information shall be submitted to the department no later
than January 10 of each new calendar year. Failure to submit
the required information within the time period established
in this paragraph shall be a violation of this act.
(f) Notice of closing, change of name or moving location.--
(1) A person who holds a permit or is required to hold a
permit under this act shall notify the department, in
writing, prior to a change of status related to the permit,
including:
(i) Intent to close, sell or change the name of the
business or entity holding the permit.
(ii) Intent to move the location of the business or
entity or the location of the activity specifically
authorized by the permit.
(iii) Intent to discontinue the activities
specifically authorized by the permit.
(2) Upon notification, the department, in performance of
its duties to protect the interests of the public, the native
plant and animal populations and natural resources in this
Commonwealth, may enter onto the land and premises, including
buildings and conveyances that were utilized for or where the
permitted activity is taking place, and conduct inspections
of the premises as are necessary to determine what remedial,
eradication or containment practices are necessary prior to
the closure or other change of status occurring.
(3) Failure to notify the department or otherwise comply
with the provisions of this subsection shall be a violation
of this act.
(g) Revocation or suspension.--Within 30 days of receipt of
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a notice of revocation, the permit holder may apply for an
amendment to the permit or request a hearing as outlined in
section 312. The secretary may revoke or suspend all or part of
a permit issued under this section when:
(1) The secretary determines that a permittee has failed
to comply with the requirements of this act.
(2) It is necessary to protect the interests of the
public, to protect native plant and animal populations in
this Commonwealth, or to otherwise protect this
Commonwealth's natural resources.
Section 303. Prohibited acts.
(a) General compliance.--It shall be a violation of this act
to fail to comply with any provision of this act or any
regulation, permit requirement or order established under this
act.
(b) Noxious weeds.--Except as established in an individual
permit allowing educational or research purposes, it shall be a
violation of this act to distribute, cultivate or propagate any
noxious weed within this Commonwealth.
(c) Controlled plants.--It shall be a violation of this act
to conduct research, market, hold, warehouse, retail, wholesale,
produce, distribute, cultivate or propagate a controlled plant
without a permit issued by the department.
(d) Abandonment.--It shall be a violation of this act for a
person holding or required to hold or comply with a permit
requirement of this act to abandon a noxious weed or controlled
plant site or premises without first notifying the department
and taking the actions necessary or ordered by the department to
remediate the site.
(e) Concealment or misrepresentation.--It shall be unlawful
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for a person to:
(1) conceal a noxious weed or controlled plant from
inspection; or
(2) make a false declaration of acreage, square footage
or any other information required to comply with the permit
requirements of this act.
(f) Noncompliance with permit requirements.--It shall be a
violation of this act to fail to comply with the requirements
established in a general or individual permit.
Section 304. Noxious weed control areas.
(a) General rule.--The department may establish a noxious
weed control area through a noxious weed control order issued by
the department. The order shall be published in the Pennsylvania
Bulletin and disseminated to persons in the noxious weed control
area that will be affected by the order. A noxious weed control
order shall remain in effect until such time as it is rescinded
by the department or until the criteria set forth in the noxious
weed control order are established by regulation. The purpose of
a noxious weed control order shall be to prevent the
dissemination of noxious weeds within this Commonwealth.
(b) Notice.--The department shall give notice of the
establishment of a noxious weed control area and the noxious
weed control order. Within the noxious weed control area, the
department may prohibit, without inspection, the movement,
shipment or transportation of a noxious weed or other material
capable of carrying the noxious weed from the area under the
noxious weed control order.
(c) Compliance.--The department shall require an affected
landowner or lessee or other person within the noxious weed
control area to comply with the provisions of the noxious weed
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control order within the time frame indicated in the order. A
noxious weed control order may require treatment measures,
including remedial, containment and eradication requirements,
for the noxious weeds to be implemented by the landowner, lessee
or other affected person.
(d) Publication.--Every designated noxious weed control area
and any accompanying noxious weed control order created under
this section shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin
under the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.769, No.240), referred to as
the Commonwealth Documents Law.
Section 305. Control orders.
(a) Noxious weeds.--
(1) The department may issue a control order requiring a
person to implement treatment measures for noxious weeds. The
control order shall state the general factual and legal basis
for the action and shall advise the affected person that,
within 15 days of receipt of the control order, the affected
person may file with the department a written request for an
administrative hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in
accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to administrative law and
procedure).
(2) The written control order of the department shall be
served upon the affected person by personal service or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.
(3) The control order shall become final upon the
expiration of the 15-day period for requesting an
administrative hearing, unless a timely request for a hearing
has been filed with the department.
(b) Controlled plants.--
(1) The department may issue a control order requiring a
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controlled plant permit holder or a person required to have a
permit to implement treatment measures for a controlled
plant. The department may issue a control order requiring a
person to implement treatment measures for controlled plants
if the department finds that a controlled plant is growing on
a premises or property without a valid permit. The order
shall state the general factual and legal basis for the
action and advise the affected person that within 15 days of
receipt of the order, the affected person may file with the
department a written request for an administrative hearing.
The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S.
(2) The written control order of the department shall be
served upon the affected person by personal service or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.
(3) The control order shall become final upon the
expiration of the 15-day period for requesting an
administrative hearing, unless a timely request for a hearing
has been filed with the department.
(c) Description of situation in order.--The control order
shall describe the noxious weed or controlled plant situation
that exists and prescribe the required remediation, control,
eradication or treatment measures and the date by which the
measures must be completed.
Section 306. Compliance with orders.
(a) General rule.--The person subject to a control order
issued under section 305 shall comply with the control order
within the time frame specified in the control order or, if
appealed, the time frame established in the final adjudication
of the secretary. The cost of the remediation, control,
eradication or treatment measures shall be borne by the person
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subject to the control order.
(b) Notice and duty of municipality.--
(1) If the person subject to the control order fails to
comply with the control order, the department shall notify
that person and the municipality within which the person
resides or where the person's property is located by
certified mail. After receipt of the notice, the appropriate
officials of the municipality shall take the necessary steps
to carry out the measures established in the control order
within the time frame specified in the notification by the
department.
(2) A municipality which acts to control a noxious weed
or controlled plant on a noncomplying person's property may
recover the expenses and costs incurred by the municipality
in carrying out the measures established in the control order
from the person who was the subject of the department's
control order.
Section 307. Noxious weed list.
(a) Class A noxious weeds.--The following are Class A
noxious weeds:
(1) Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson (commonly known as
Palmer amaranth).
(2) Amaranthus rudis (commonly known as common
waterhemp).
(3) Amaranthus tuberculatus (commonly known as tall
waterhemp).
(4) Avena sterilis L. (commonly known as animated oat).
(5) Cuscuta L. (commonly known as dodder).
(6) Galega officinalis L. (commonly known as goatsrue).
(7) Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier (commonly
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known as giant hogweed).
(8) Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (commonly known
as hydrilla).
(9) Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P. Beauv. Subsp.
undulatifolius (commonly known as wavyleaf basketgrass).
(10) Orobanche L. (commonly known as broomrape).
(11) Pueraria DC. (commonly known as kudzu).
(b) Class B noxious weeds.--The following are Class B
noxious weeds:
(1) Carduus nutans L. (commonly known as musk thistle).
(2) Cirsium arvense L. (commonly known as Canada
thistle).
(3) Cirsium vulgare L. (commonly known as bull thistle).
(4) Exotic Lythrum species, including Lythrum salicaria
L. (commonly known as purple loosestrife), the Lythrum
salicaria complex and Lythrum virgatum L. (commonly known as
European wand loosestrife), their cultivars and any
combination thereof.
(5) Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Grass (formerly known
as Polygonum perfoliatum L.) (commonly known as mile-a-minute
weed).
(6) Rosa multiflora L. (commonly known as multiflora
rose).
(7) Sorghum bicolor L. Moench (commonly known as
shattercane).
(8) Sorghum halepense L. Pers. (commonly known as
Johnson grass).
(c) Class C noxious weeds.--Class C noxious weeds are any
Federal noxious weeds listed in 7 CFR 360.200 (relating to
designation of noxious weeds) not established in this
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Commonwealth which are not referenced above.
(d) Committee determination.--The committee shall determine
if a plant or weed shall be designated as a noxious weed as
authorized by section 301.
Section 308. Fees.
(a) General rule.--The following fees, which shall be
deposited into the account are established:
(1) General permit - $150 per permit with a $50 annual
renewal fee.
(2) Individual permit - $250 per permit with a $100
annual renewal fee.
(3) Inspection fees for field locations - $50 minimum
inspection fee for up to 10 acres, with a $5 per acre fee for
each additional acre up to a maximum fee of $500.
(4) Inspection fees for greenhouses - Greenhouse
locations shall be assessed a fee based on square footage as
follows:
(i) $50 for less than 5,000 square feet.
(ii) $100 for 5,000-25,000 square feet.
(iii) $150 if greater than 25,000 square feet.
(5) Plant identification - $40 per sample.
(6) Laboratory testing - Fees as established in 3
Pa.C.S. Ch. 71 (relating to seed).
(b) Adjustment of fees.--The department may fix, adjust,
assess and collect, or cause to be collected, fees as
established in this act. The fees shall be large enough to meet
the reasonable expenses incurred by the department or its agents
in administering this act, including issuing permits, conducting
inspections and carrying out necessary testing. If the secretary
determines that money derived from all authorized fees is either
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greater or less than that required to administer this act, the
secretary may reduce or increase the fees to maintain revenues
sufficient to administer this act.
(c) Notice of fee adjustment.--The secretary shall announce
the adjustment of fees by publishing a notice in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin. The adjusted fees shall take effect 60
days after publication of the notice in the Pennsylvania
Bulletin.
(d) Payment of fees.--Fees shall be paid by check or money
order made payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Failure
to pay a fee on time shall be a violation of this act. A late
fee of $25 shall be assessed for every month that a fee is past
due.
Section 309. Powers and duties of secretary and department.
(a) General rule.--The secretary shall enforce this act and
may employ all proper means for the enforcement of this act,
including issuing notices of violation and orders, filing
violations for criminal prosecution, seeking injunctive relief,
imposing civil penalties and entering into consent agreements.
(b) General powers and duties of department.--The
department, in carrying out the provisions of this act and in
addition to all other authority granted to the secretary and the
department by this act, shall have the authority to:
(1) Enter upon a public or private premises or carrier
during regular business hours in order to have access to
noxious weeds and controlled plants subject to provisions of
this act and the records relating to this act.
(2) Enter upon a public or private premises or carrier
for the purpose of controlling noxious weeds or controlled
plants and enforcing the provisions of this act.
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(3) Issue and enforce a written control order to a
person in possession of a noxious weed or controlled plant.
(4) Issue and enforce written permits and permit
requirements to a person who wishes to conduct research on,
market, hold, warehouse, retail, wholesale, produce,
propagate, transport, cultivate or distribute a controlled
plant under terms and conditions that are reasonably required
to carry out the provisions of this act.
(5) When utilizing an enforcement tool authorized by
this act to control, remediate, contain or eradicate a
noxious weed or controlled plant, and to recover, from the
noncomplying person or landowner, expenses and costs incurred
in enforcement and compliance actions. The department may
impose additional civil or criminal penalties for failure to
comply. Penalties shall include the reasonable cost of
eradication and compliance expenses incurred by the
department.
(6) If the department is denied access to a building,
conveyance, equipment, land or vehicle where access was
sought for the purposes and under the authority provided in
this act, the secretary may apply to an issuing authority for
a search warrant authorizing access to the building,
conveyance, equipment, land or vehicle for that purpose. The
court may, upon application by the department, issue the
search warrant for the purposes requested.
(c) Right of entry and inspection.--
(1) In the performance of the duties required by this
act, the department and its inspectors, employees and agents
shall have free access, during reasonable hours, to any land
or premises on which noxious weeds or controlled plants are
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present or found or where there is reasonable suspicion that
noxious weeds or controlled plants are present.
(2) The department may enter onto and inspect the land
and premises and any areas of the land and premises,
including buildings and conveyances, that are or will be
utilized for permitted activities or where the permitted
activities are or will be conducted.
(d) Refusal of entry.--It shall be unlawful for a person to:
(1) refuse or delay access to the inspector, employee or
agent of the department;
(2) hinder, thwart or defeat inspection by
misrepresentation or concealment of regulated articles, facts
or conditions;
(3) prevent an inspector, employee or agent from gaining
entry through an act of omission; or
(4) interfere with an inspector, employee or agent as
specified under section 502.
(e) Search warrants.--
(1) If an inspector, employee or agent of the department
has probable cause to believe a noxious weed or controlled
plant exists on a property or premises or if access or entry
as described in subsections (b), (c) and (d) is denied or
hindered, the department's inspector, employee or agent may,
upon oath or affirmation, declare before a court of competent
jurisdiction that the inspector, employee or agent has
probable cause to believe that noxious weeds or controlled
plants exist on the land or premises.
(2) Upon review of the declaration, the court may issue
a search warrant for the property or premises. The search
warrant shall describe the property or premises, which may be
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searched under authority of the search warrant, but need not
describe the exact or all possible noxious weeds or
controlled plants that exist or may exist on the property or
premises.
(3) An inspector, employee or agent of the department
possessing a search warrant shall have all the authority of a
constable or peace officer in the execution of the warrant.
(4) It shall be sufficient probable cause to show either
of the following:
(i) That in cases involving a person who holds or is
required to hold an individual or general permit under
this act, the inspector, employee or agent has been
refused or delayed entry for the purpose of inspection.
(ii) The inspector, employee or agent has reasonable
grounds to believe that a violation of this act or
regulations promulgated or orders issued under the
authority of this act has been or is occurring.
(f) Inspections and sampling authority.--
(1) The department, through its inspectors, employees
and agents, may inspect land, premises, buildings, vehicles,
vessels, articles, locations, machinery, conveyances or other
places of a person holding or required to hold a permit under
this act.
(2) The department may inspect records required to be
kept under the individual or general permitting requirements
of this act and its attendant orders and regulations.
(3) The department may collect samples and take pictures
of noxious weeds or controlled plants. The department and its
inspectors, employees and agents may enter onto the land or
premises of a person where noxious weeds or controlled plants
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are viewed or found for the purpose of this act.
(g) Delegation.--The secretary may delegate a power or duty
under this act to an agent acting on behalf of the department,
with the exception of the powers and duties of the committee.
Section 310. Stop-sale orders.
(a) General rule.--The department may issue and enforce a
stop-sale order to a person holding or required to hold a permit
under this act or to a person where a noxious weed or controlled
plant exists. The stop-sale order shall require a person to
hold, at a designated place, the noxious weed or controlled
plant. Noxious weeds or controlled plants under a stop-sale
order issued under the authority of this subsection shall
continue to be held at the designated place until the department
is notified by the person to whom the stop-sale order was
directed that the prescribed treatment or action has been taken
and a reinspection of the premises indicates the treatment has
been completed and was effective.
(b) Official marking of noxious weeds and controlled plants
under a stop-sale order.--
(1) Noxious weeds and controlled plants under a stop-
sale order shall be clearly identified and, where
practicable, conspicuously marked.
(2) It shall be unlawful for a person to remove markings
placed by the department for this purpose unless instructed
by the department to do so.
(c) Violation of a stop-sale order.--It shall be unlawful to
violate a stop-sale order issued under this section. The
department may impose penalties authorized under this act for a
violation of the order.
Section 311. Seizure and condemnation.
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(a) General rule.--Where the distribution, transportation,
cultivation, propagation, reproduction, research or educational
practices of a noxious weed or controlled plant is not in
compliance with the provisions of this act or any regulation
promulgated or order issued under this act, the department, in
addition to any other action allowed under this act, may file a
complaint before a court of competent jurisdiction in the area
in which the noxious weed or controlled plant is located, or
before Commonwealth Court, requesting injunctive relief as
necessary to prevent harm and requesting an order of seizure and
condemnation be issued.
(b) Relief.--In the event that the court finds the noxious
weed or controlled plant to be in violation of this act, or any
regulation promulgated or order issued under this act, the court
shall order the condemnation of the noxious weed or controlled
plant. Upon execution of the court order, the condemned noxious
weed or controlled plant shall be disposed of in a manner
consistent with the laws of this Commonwealth.
Section 312. Appeal process.
An administrative appeal shall be taken and hearing conducted
in accordance with the provisions of 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. A
(relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies)
and 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth
agency action). A person must file an appeal of an enforcement
action by the department within 15 days of the date of the
enforcement action.
Section 313. Cooperation with other entities.
The department may cooperate and enter into agreements with
an individual, person, organization or Federal, State, county,
or municipal agency for the purpose of implementing the
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provisions of this act. The department may assist in the
enforcement of a Federal noxious weed quarantine established
under Federal act or regulations.
Section 314. Rules and regulations.
The department may promulgate rules and regulations and
establish and enforce orders necessary for the administration
and implementation of this act.
CHAPTER 5
ENFORCEMENT
Section 501. Unlawful conduct.
It shall be unlawful for a person to fail to comply with or
to cause or assist in the violation of an order or provision of
this act.
Section 502. Interference with inspector, agent or employee of
department.
A person who willfully or intentionally interferes with an
inspector, employee or agent of the department in the
performance of the inspector's, employee's or agent's duties or
activities authorized under this act commits a misdemeanor of
the third degree and shall, upon conviction, be subject to a
term of imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not
more than $2,500, or both.
Section 503. Enforcement and penalties.
(a) Criminal penalties.--Unless otherwise specified, a
person who violates a provision of this act or a rule or
regulation adopted under this act or an order issued under this
act:
(1) For the first offense, commits a summary offense and
shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not
less than $100 and costs of prosecution or to imprisonment
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for not more than 90 days, or both.
(2) For a subsequent offense committed within three
years of a prior conviction for a violation of this act or a
rule, regulation or order made under this act, commits a
misdemeanor of the second degree and shall, upon conviction,
be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500 and costs of
prosecution or to imprisonment for not more than two years,
or both.
(b) Civil penalties.--
(1) In addition to any other remedy available at law or
in equity for a violation of this act, the department may
assess a civil penalty of not more than $10,000, plus cost of
remediation, containment or eradication, upon a person for
each violation of this act or a regulation promulgated or
order issued under authority of this act. The civil penalty
assessed shall be payable to the department for deposit into
the account. The penalty amount shall be collectible in any
manner provided by law for the collection of debt, including
referring any collection matter to the Office of Attorney
General, which shall recover the amount by action in the
appropriate court.
(2) No civil penalty shall be assessed unless the person
assessed the penalty has been given notice and an opportunity
for a hearing on the assessment in accordance with the
provisions of 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice
and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) and 7 Subch. A
(relating to judicial review of Commonwealth agency action).
Section 504. Injunctive relief.
In addition to any other remedies provided for in this act,
the Attorney General, at the request of the secretary, may
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initiate, in Commonwealth Court or the court of common pleas of
the county in which the defendant resides or has the defendant's
place of business, an action in equity for an injunction to
restrain violations of this act or the rules and regulations
promulgated under this act.
Section 505. De minimis violations.
Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the
department to report a violation or to institute seizure
proceedings or other enforcement actions under this act as a
result of de minimis violations of this act if the department
concludes that the public interest will be best served by a
suitable notice of violation or warning in writing.
CHAPTER 7
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 701. Transfer.
The amount of $300,000 shall be transferred from the General
Fund to the Plant Pest Management Account established under
section 702(a) to be utilized for the purposes enumerated under
this act.
Section 702. Disposition of funds.
(a) Plant Pest Management Account.--Money received from all
fees, enforcement actions, control work reimbursement, fines and
penalties under this act shall be paid into the Plant Pest
Management Account.
(b) Supplements.--The account may be supplemented by money
received from the following sources:
(1) Federal funds appropriated to the department for
purposes of this act.
(2) State funds appropriated to the department for
purposes of this act.
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(3) Gifts and other contributions from public or private
sources for purposes of this act.
(c) Status of funds.--The account shall not be subject to 42
Pa.C.S. Ch. 37 Subch. C (relating to judicial computer system).
Section 703. Preemption.
All local laws contrary to this act are preempted.
Section 704. Abrogation.
The regulations under 7 Pa. Code ยงยง 111.22 (relating to
prohibited noxious weed seeds) and 111.23 (relating to
restricted noxious weed seeds) are abrogated insofar as they are
inconsistent with this act.
Section 705. Repeals.
Repeals are as follows:
(1) The General Assembly declares that the repeals under
paragraphs (2) and (3) are necessary to effectuate this act.
(2) The act of April 7, 1982 (P.L.228, No.74), known as
the Noxious Weed Control Law, is repealed.
(3) 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 71 is repealed insofar as it is
inconsistent with this act.
Section 706. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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